H-2692

AN ACT Relating to feeding wildlife during episodes of severe winter weather; amending RCW 77.32.101, 77.32.256, 77.32.340, 77.32.370, and 77.32.380; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that, during severe winter weather conditions, big game herds of deer and elk living on limited winter ranges are at risk of starvation and may be driven to forage on private property, damaging crops and other vegetation. It is, therefore, in the public interest to feed deer and elk on an emergency basis when such conditions occur.

Further, the legislature finds that the state must find a long-term solution to the serious problem of emergency winter feeding of wildlife. The legislature also finds that crafting a true solution must involve input from hunters, affected landowners, local governments, wildlife supporters, and other interested parties and must be implemented in a timely fashion before the next emergency occurs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The legislature directs the department of fish and wildlife to work with hunters and other interested parties to develop and implement an emergency winter feeding funding plan for the winter of 1997-98. The plan shall raise at least one million dollars. The department may use a number of mechanisms to raise money for the purposes of emergency winter feeding. The department shall include at least the following mechanisms: (a) Increased fees; (b) the sale of surplus property; and (c) solicitation of donations. Of the moneys raised for emergency winter feeding, fees may not constitute more than fifty percent of the total raised. All moneys raised for the purpose of this act must be deposited in the wildlife fund and must only be used for that purpose. The funding plan for the winter of 1997-98 expires on July 1, 1998, unless continuation of the plan for future emergency winter feeding is approved by the legislature. The department shall provide a copy of the emergency winter feeding funding plan to the appropriate committees of the legislature by November 1, 1997.

(2) The legislature directs the department of fish and wildlife to work with hunters and other interested parties to develop a long-run strategy for funding emergency winter feeding. As part of this long-run strategy, the department may review the possibility of the use of a lottery with sale proceeds dedicated to emergency winter feeding.

Sec. 3. RCW 77.32.101 and 1994 c 255 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A combination hunting and fishing license allows a resident holder to hunt, and to fish for game fish throughout the state. The baseline fee for this license is twenty-nine dollars.

(2) A hunting license allows the holder to hunt throughout the state. The baseline fee for this license is fifteen dollars for residents and one hundred fifty dollars for nonresidents.

(3) A fishing license allows the holder to fish for game fish throughout the state. The fee for this license is seventeen dollars for residents fifteen years of age or older and under seventy years of age, three dollars for residents seventy years of age or older, twenty dollars for nonresidents under fifteen years of age, and forty-eight dollars for nonresidents fifteen years of age or older.

(4) A steelhead fishing license allows the holder of a combination hunting and fishing license or a fishing license issued under this section to fish for steelhead throughout the state. The fee for this license is eighteen dollars.

(5) A juvenile steelhead license allows residents under fifteen years of age and nonresidents under fifteen years of age who hold a fishing license to fish for steelhead throughout the state. The fee for this license is six dollars and entitles the holder to take up to five steelhead at which time another juvenile steelhead license may be purchased. Any person who purchases a juvenile steelhead license is prohibited from purchasing a steelhead license for the same calendar year.

(6) Until December 31, 1998, the department may charge an additional fee above the baseline fee to implement section 2 of this act.

Sec. 4. RCW 77.32.256 and 1995 c 116 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

The director shall by rule establish the conditions for issuance of duplicate licenses, rebates, permits, tags, and stamps required by this chapter. The baseline fee for a duplicate provided under this section is ten dollars for those licenses that are ten dollars and over, and for those licenses under ten dollars the baseline duplicate fee is the value of the license. Until December 31, 1998, the department may charge an additional fee above the baseline fee to implement section 2 of this act.

Sec. 5. RCW 77.32.340 and 1991 sp.s. c 7 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

Fees for transport tags shall be as follows:

(1) The baseline fee for a resident deer tag is eighteen dollars. The baseline fee for a nonresident deer tag is sixty dollars.

(2) The baseline fee for a resident elk tag is twenty-four dollars. The baseline fee for a nonresident elk tag is one hundred twenty dollars.

(3) The fee for a resident bear tag is eighteen dollars. The fee for a nonresident bear tag is one hundred eighty dollars.

(4) The fee for a resident cougar tag is twenty-four dollars. The fee for a nonresident cougar tag is three hundred sixty dollars.

(5) The fee for a mountain goat tag is sixty dollars for residents and one hundred eighty dollars for nonresidents. The fee shall be paid at the time of application. Applicants who are not selected for a mountain goat special season permit shall receive a refund of this fee, less five dollars.

(6) The fee for a sheep tag is ninety dollars for residents and three hundred sixty dollars for nonresidents and shall be paid at the time of application. Applicants who are not selected for a sheep special season permit shall receive a refund of this fee, less five dollars.

(7) The fee for a moose tag is one hundred eighty dollars for residents and three hundred sixty dollars for nonresidents and shall be paid at the time of application. Applicants who are not selected for a moose special season permit shall receive a refund of this fee, less five dollars.

(8) The fee for a wild turkey tag is eighteen dollars for residents and sixty dollars for nonresidents.

(9) The fee for a lynx tag is twenty-four dollars for residents and three hundred sixty dollars for nonresidents and shall be paid at the time of application. Applicants who are not selected for a lynx special season permit shall receive a refund of this fee, less five dollars.

(10) Until December 31, 1998, the department may charge an additional fee above the baseline fee to implement section 2 of this act.

Sec. 6. RCW 77.32.370 and 1991 sp.s. c 7 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A special hunting season permit is required to hunt in each special season established under chapter 77.12 RCW.

(2) Persons may apply for special hunting season permits as provided by rule of the director.

(3) The baseline application fee to participate in a special hunting season is three dollars. Until December 31, 1998, the department may charge an additional fee above the baseline fee to implement section 2 of this act.

Sec. 7. RCW 77.32.380 and 1993 sp.s. c 2 s 77 are each amended to read as follows:

Persons sixteen years of age or older who use clearly identified department lands and access facilities are required to possess a conservation license or a hunting, fishing, trapping, or free license on their person while using the facilities. The fee for this license is ten dollars annually. Until December 31, 1998, the department may charge an additional fee above the baseline fee to implement section 2 of this act.

The spouse, all children under eighteen years of age, and guests under eighteen years of age of the holder of a valid conservation license may use department lands and access facilities when accompanied by the license holder.

Youth groups may use department lands and game access facilities without possessing a conservation license when accompanied by a license holder.

The conservation license is nontransferable and must be validated by the signature of the holder. Upon request of a wildlife agent or ex officio wildlife agent a person using clearly identified department lands shall exhibit the required license.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.